Cybercrime is becoming a big business and affects pretty much every specialist operating online. If you’re under the impression that you’re not a target because your business is small or you’re in an industry that no one is interested in, perhaps you should think again. No organisation is too small for threat actors. Hackers want targeted information and financial data, as these details can be sold for a lot of money or used for identity theft. You’re probably more focused on things like paid ads, social media, and SEO. Well, it’s high time you learned about cybersecurity. Malicious activity can destroy all your work with just one move.
Data Breaches Are Increasing at Rapid Speed
Regrettably, the number of data breaches worldwide has increased considerably in the past decade, with an estimated 8000 cyberattacks per year. Malicious actors are becoming increasingly creative, meaning that anyone can be a victim, and there’s still a great deal to learn about prevention and recovery. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation is a model for enforceable regulations. The GDPR is retained in domestic law as the UK GDPR, which sets out the rights of consumers and, of course, obligations for businesses. It sits alongside the amended version of the Data Protection Act 2018.
According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 39% of UK businesses identified a cyberattack in 2022, yet there’s reason to believe that less mature organisations may be underreporting. As far as the material outcome is concerned, loss of money or data added up to £4,200, taking into account only medium and large businesses. Data breaches take longer to identify as compared to previous years; even companies regarded as having high cybersecurity aren’t able to get the better of hackers. Marketers are an easy target for cybercriminals because their data is easily accessible, so it can be leveraged in a phishing attack. If a threat actor manages to steal the credentials of one employee, they can penetrate the rest of the organisation.
Trust Is in Short Supply, So It’s a Vital Currency in Customer Relationships
It’s no secret that the world has a trust problem, and the crisis shows no signs of abating. Suspicion and scepticism complicate business, so building trust is of the essence in building sustainable relationships with customers. Failing to understand data safety can lead to a loss of trust, even resulting in your business closing down. Think about what makes your company what it is today – the people, processes, technology, relationships, branding, etc. It can all be destroyed in an instant. Software security solutions can help ensure targeted information is secure, protecting your organisation against vulnerabilities like malware and ransomware. 2GO software makes available various products that cater to all your needs.
Any Marketing Strategy Must Have Data Protection at Its Core
The way information is obtained, used, and regulated has suffered considerable modifications over the past years, having profound implications for marketers, who are no longer able to rely on cookies to increase the efficacy of customer reach. A new approach to marketing must, therefore, be considered. A data breach can result in financial loss and risk of brand reputation, not to mention business closure – you’ll never know the genuine value of your marketing efforts if the audience doesn’t trust your security/service. The question now is: How do you reduce your risk of an attack? Well, let’s find out, shall we?
Plan With End-Users in Mind
Data is intimately connected to people, so ensure the least amount of damage is done should there be a problem. Make sure people are okay with giving you consent; this implies a real choice by the data subject. Be transparent in your data collection methods so that consumers understand what benefits they’ll get in exchange. Even when end-users consent to their data being used, it must be used only for the purposes informed. As an example, you can’t use the information for marketing purposes if you tell users you’re collecting those details for research purposes.
Encrypt Data at Rest
Data at rest has reached its destination and isn’t being accessed or used. It’s possible that a threat actor will try to access the server that stores the information and copy the files off of it, which is why it’s important to prevent unauthorised users from accessing your precious assets. Hackers are an ever-present threat, so ensure the data can’t be read, even if it’s copied and transmitted elsewhere. It provides confidentiality and drives security, as the ciphertext can only be viewed in its original form if it’s decrypted with the right key.
Ensure Security Awareness Training
Implement security training across the company, especially if you’re using Norton 360. The comprehensive security suite for Windows and Mac has a simplistic design, but some employees might struggle with the technology due to unfamiliarity. Not everyone grew up with a cell phone in their hand. Help people in your organisation understand the importance of cybersecurity and teach them how to respond to threats appropriately. Norton’s desktop app is a little bit clunky, but it’s still one of the best antiviruses.
Follow Applicable Laws and Regulations
It’s essential to understand the basics of the UK GDPR to know what data you can and can’t process. Don’t waste any more time, and appoint a Data Protection Officer to ensure the personal information of staff, customers, and other individuals comply with the applicable rules. Needless to say, your GDPR implementation should be done only after thoroughly auditing the data you currently hold. Establish what data you collect, why you collect it, how the details are gathered, where the data is stored, and so on.
Wrapping It Up
Data security is crucial for businesses of all sizes, but it’s especially important for marketing businesses and in-house teams. At the end of the day, building and maintaining trust is a key ingredient to keeping your business running, and few things can ruin a relationship faster than a data breach. Don’t wait for a data breach before taking action.